Research Associate
Gemological Institute of AmericaAbout the role
Research Associate
The Company: Gemological Institute of America (GIA) is the world’s foremost authority in gemology. GIA is a global organization with headquarters located in Carlsbad, CA and boasts a 17-acre ocean view campus that accommodates approximately 800 of its 3,500 total employees worldwide. It offers many competitive health and commuter benefits that promote the well-being of its employees, as well as that of the environment.
The NY Campus: An established company located in the heart of the diamond district in mid-town Manhattan that offers its employees great educational and developmental opportunities.
The Culture: With autonomy, passion and focus on operational excellence, GIA security team strives to achieve highest standards of security on campus to ensure safety of everyone including GIA employees, students, visitors and customers.
GIA relies on a strong set of values to create a sense of purpose - guiding and inspiring people inside and outside the organization. We strive for our employees to have a sense of belonging and inclusivity through our core values of integrity, teamwork, leadership, respect and results.
Job Overview:
This role is responsible for the operation, maintenance, and optimization of Laser Ablation Inductively Coupled Plasma
Mass Spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) instrumentation in a production laboratory environment.
The position will contribute to both production support and research initiatives focused on gemstone identification,
treatment detection, geographic origin determination, and analytical method development. This role partners closely with
GIA’s global research team and provides critical technical expertise in analytical chemistry and spectroscopy.
Key Responsibilities:
· Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot LA-ICP-MS instrumentation to ensure consistent, high-quality
performance in a production laboratory setting
· Support day-to-day laboratory operations, including sample preparation, data acquisition, and
quality control processes
· Contribute to research projects involving natural, treated, and synthetic gemstones, including:
o Gemstone identification and characterization
o Treatment detection methodologies
o Geographic origin determination
o Development and validation of analytical chemistry methods
· Perform data collection, interpretation, and analysis using advanced analytical techniques
· Collaborate with cross-functional research teams to design experiments and evaluate findings
· Prepare technical reports, documentation, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders
· Contribute to publications (e.g., Gems & Gemology) and present findings to internal teams and the
broader gemological community
· Maintain accurate data records, databases, and documentation in alignment with laboratory
standards
· Ensure compliance with safety protocols and proper handling of laboratory equipment and materials
· Travel domestically and internationally, as needed, to support research initiatives and collaboration
Skills & Abilities:
· Hands-on experience with LA-ICP-MS required; experience with other microanalytical or mass spectrometry
techniques strongly preferred
· Strong understanding of analytical chemistry, spectroscopy, and instrumentation principles
· Working knowledge of geochemistry, mineralogy, crystallography, and/or gemology
· Proficiency in data analysis, interpretation, and scientific reporting
Key Responsibilities:
· Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot LA-ICP-MS instrumentation to ensure consistent, high-quality
performance in a production laboratory setting
· Support day-to-day laboratory operations, including sample preparation, data acquisition, and
quality control processes
· Contribute to research projects involving natural, treated, and synthetic gemstones, including:
o Gemstone identification and characterization
o Treatment detection methodologies
o Geographic origin determination
o Development and validation of analytical chemistry methods
· Perform data collection, interpretation, and analysis using advanced analytical techniques
· Collaborate with cross-functional research teams to design experiments and evaluate findings
· Prepare technical reports, documentation, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders
· Contribute to publications (e.g., Gems & Gemology) and present findings to internal teams and the
broader gemological community
· Maintain accurate data records, databases, and doc
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